Electronic identification apparatus

Abstract

An electronic identification apparatus including a band having first and second ends and a hermetically sealed electrical run that extends between the first and second ends, the apparatus further including a data device linked to the band, the band configurable to form a loop about an object such that the ends of the runs a proximate and separated by band material such that the ends form a capacitive coupling.

To apprize the public of the scope of this invention, I make the following claims:  
     
         1 . An electronic identification apparatus for identifying an object, the apparatus comprising: 
 a strap member having first and second opposite ends and positionable such that the distal ends are proximate and securable to one another and the strap member form a loop about the object,    a conductive assembly including at least a first conductive run embedded within the strap member and extending substantially from the first to the second strap member ends, the conductive assembly including first and second capacitive members at the first and second ends, respectively, such that when the strap member forms the loop about the object and the first and second ends are proximate, the capacitive members are juxtaposed so as to be capacitively coupled and continue a conductive path about the loop and so that the conductive assembly forms a complete path about the assembly;    a data device linked to the strap member and in communication with the conductive assembly;    wherein, when the conductive path about the loop is severed, operation of the data device is modified.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the strap member includes first and second strap members, the first conductive run is embedded in the first strap member and wherein the conductive assembly further includes a second conductive run embedded within the second strap member, the first strap member linked to the data device at a proximal end and forming the first end at a distal end and the second strap member linked to the data device at a proximal end and forming the second end at a distal end.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the data device is linked to the strap member proximate the first end of the strap member.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the data device includes a memory and wherein the runs are linked to the data device such that when the conductive path is severed, memory data is rendered inaccessible.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the data device further includes a processor linked to the memory and wherein, when the conductive path is severed, the processor renders the memory inaccessible by erasing the memory.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the data device further includes a transponder and a processor linked to the memory and the transponder wherein, when the conductive path is severed, the processor renders the memory inaccessible by disabling the transponder.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the data device includes an indicator and wherein the data device modifies operation by activating the indicator.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the capacitive members are capacitive plates that overlap when the first and second ends are proximate.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the data device forms part of the conductive path.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first and second ends are securable together via an adhesive.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the data device includes a processor and a base member, the processor is delinkable from the base member and wherein the processor forms part of the conductive path.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the data device is a processor and wherein, when the conductive path is severed, the processor modifies operation by performing at least one security function.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the security function includes one of disabling the memory and clearing the memory.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the data device further includes a clock and a memory and the security function includes recording the time at which the path was severed in the memory.  
     
     
         15 . An electronic identification apparatus for identifying an object, the apparatus comprising: 
 a processor;    a memory linked to the processor;    a power source linked to the processor;    first and second strap members, the first strap member including a non-electrically conductive sheath about a first conductive run, the second strap member including a non-electrically conductive sheath about a second conductive run, the first conductive run linked to the processor at a proximal end and extending to a distal end at a distal end of the first strap member and the second conductive run linked to the processor at a proximal end and forming a distal end at a distal end of the second strap member;    wherein, the distal ends of the first and second strap members are positionable such that the distal ends of the first and second strap members are proximate and securable to one another and the strap members form a loop about the object and so that the distal ends of the first and second conductive runs are juxtaposed so as to be capacitively coupled and the runs and processor form a conductive path about the loop;    wherein, when the conductive path about the loop is severed, operation of the assembly is modified.    
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein, when the conductive path is severed, memory data is rendered inaccessible.  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16  further including a transponder linked to the processor and wherein, when the conductive path is severed, the processor renders the memory inaccessible by disabling the transponder.  
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 15  further including an indicator and wherein the processor modifies operation by activating the indicator.  
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 15  further including first and second capacitive plates at the distal ends of the first and second conductive runs, respectively, and, wherein, the capacitive plates overlap when the distal ends of the first and second strap members are proximate.  
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the processor is removable from other components of the apparatus.